2012 acura rdx Model Overview

The 2012 Acura RDX is a luxury compact SUV that, since its introduction in 2007, has become overshadowed by German competitors like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. But because of increased competition, Acura has managed to keep the RDX from aging by packing it with high-tech gadgets and equipping it with the company’s first-ever turbocharged engine. Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system also makes for an engaging driving experience, and a front-drive model (added for 2010) reduces the price and improves fuel economy.

In continuation with Acura’s effort to keep the RDX fresh, the automaker showed a 2013 RDX prototype at the 2012 Detroit auto show. The second-generation SUV exchanges its turbocharged four-cylinder engine and SH-AWD for a more powerful V-6 and a lighter all-wheel-drive system. Set to launch in spring 2012, the 2013 RDX is powered by a 273-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic. What the first-generation RDX lacked was fuel economy and isolation from road noise. If the 2013 RDX actually improves on fixing those gripes, it could be put above front-drive-based luxury crossovers like the Audi Q5 and Volvo XC60.

A FWD-only base model was introduced last year that slashed the cost and weight of the entry-level RDX. A turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder paired with a five-speed automatic transmission continues to be the only drivetrain combination offered, although the prototype for the new 2013 RDX will have a more powerful V-6 and a lighter all-wheel-drive system. The RDX’s styling was brought in line with the rest of Acura’s lineup in 2010, and it still wears the polarizing corporate grille.

Exterior styling cues that give the 2012 RDX a more athletic profile include angular and muscular lines, aggressive wheel arches, and a short rear overhang. Other features include chrome door handles, heated outside mirrors with embedded turn signals, body-colored tailgate spoiler, automatic HID headlights, fog lights, and a power moonroof with tilt and automatic open and close functions. Other standard features include 18-inch wheels, dual exhaust pipes, and tinted rear glass.

The 2012 RDX’s leather-upholstered cabin is premium in a modern way. Countless buttons dot the center stack, and controls are somewhat confusing at first. Standard is a seven-speaker audio system and a rearview camera that’s displayed on the rearview mirror, but upgrading to the Technology Package throws in a 10-speaker Acura/ELS sound system along with an 8-inch navigation system that displays the rearview image on the screen. A lockable center console storage area is large enough to hold a computer.

The RDX’s 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine, rated at 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque, is plenty powerful. The turbo makes it feel quicker than it actually is and, together with SH-AWD, the RDX is more responsive and engaging to drive than others in the segment. The five-speed transmission (comes with paddle shifters) shifts smoothly and is responsive. The ride is a bit on the stiff side, and road noise is pronounced.

Standard safety features include Acura’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, and braking aids such as anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake distribution (EBD), and brake assist (BA). Passive safety features include dual-stage multiple-threshold front airbags, side airbags, and active front seat head restraints. All occupants have three point seatbelts, while front passengers have auto tensioning systems. Vehicle stability assist, traction control, and a tire pressure monitoring system round out the RDX’s safety foundation.

2012 Acura RDX Pricing

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price

$32,895

Certified Pre Owned Pricewhat is this?

$16,700

Certified Pre-Owned Price is the approximate price a consumer can expect to pay at a dealership for a used vehicle that has passed the manufacturer's certification process. This price applies only to vehicles covered under an automaker's CPO program, not to a dealership's own "certified" used price.

Recalls

Recall ID#16V061000 - AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE INFLATOR MODULE

Consequence

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 2017. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are JY0, JY1, and JY2.

2012 Acura RDX News and Reviews

Your title here...Now that my son is a little older, he appreciates going for a ride in the car with Daddy more than before. Don’t get me wrong; he always likes going for a ride in “Mommy’s cool car,” but when it’s just he and I going for a ride in “Daddy’s cool car,” he gets especially excited. Oh, and…

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has just named the 2012 BMW 3 Series and 2013 Acura RDX as Top Safety Picks.Improved roof strength was key to both the 2012 3 Series and 2013 RDX earning IIHS Top Safety Pick titles. The previous-generation Acura RDX was only rated as "marginal" for roof strength, while the prior BMW 3 Series…

It appears Acura did something right with the all-new 2013 Acura RDX, as April sales numbers were up nearly 50 percent over the same month last year. RDX owners said the first-generation lacked a little refinement, so that became the main focus with the second-gen's redesign. With the 2013 RDX, the new compact crossover from Acura has adopted a mini-MDX…

It's only been about a month since the Chicago Auto Show debut of the production-spec 2013 Acura RDX, but the car has just started production at an Acura plant in Ohio, according to Honda.While the first generation of Acura's RDX compact utility vehicle was made at the Marysville, Ohio plant (alongside the Acura TL and Honda Accord), Acura moved production…

Yes, you’ve already seen the 2013 Acura RDX at two major auto shows this year, but until now we hadn’t seen official pricing for the brand’s latest compact luxury crossover. Acura announced today that the 2013 RDX will start at $35,205, including $885 in destination charges.That price puts buyers into a base, front-wheel-drive RDX. For those keeping score, that’s about…